Southwestern Randolph’s Gracie Hodgin returns a ball against Mount Pleasant in a state-playoff match earlier this week. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph made it to the fourth round of the Class 3-A state playoffs in volleyball with Thursday night’s four-set conquering of visiting West Stanly.
The Cougars, who are the No. 3 seed in the West Region, won 25-13, 24-26, 25-15, 25-22 for their third straight home victory in the state playoffs. Next is a regional semifinal Saturday at second-seeded Brevard.
Southwestern Randolph (25-4), the Piedmont Athletic Conference champion, holds a 14-match winning streak.
Sixth-seeded West Stanly, the Rocky River Conference champion, finished with a 23-6 record.
On Tuesday night, Southwestern Randolph rolled in the second round with a 25-19, 25-20, 25-6 home victory against No. 19 seeded Mount Pleasant.
Madelyn Smith racked up 16 digs and 14 kills, Raegan LeRoy supplied 23 assists and nine digs, Molly Smith racked up 16 assists and three aces, Coley Shiflet posted 15 digs and Gracie Hodgin had 10 kills against Mount Pleasant (14-12).
PAC runner-up Randleman and Trinity bowed out with road losses Tuesday night.
Randleman fell 25-17, 25-12, 25-12 at fifth-seeded McMichael.
The 12th-seeded Tigers (17-8) received seven kills and seven digs from Camden Scott. Camryn Vickery provided 14 assists.
Trinity fell at top-seeded East Surry by 25-23, 25-16, 25-9. The No. 16 seed Bulldogs finished with a 17-9 record.
Class 1-A
Uwharrie Charter Academy’s season ended with a 25-16, 25-17, 17-25, 25-19 third-round loss Thursday night at fourth-seeded Cherokee.
Fifth-seeded UCA finished with a 19-7 record.
UCA began the week by defeating No. 12 seed Mountain Island Charter at home by 14-25, 25-19, 25-12, 25-23. Highlights for the Eagles included Kayden Faglier’s 13 kills and Lizah Moore’s nine kills and five blocks.
In Tuesday night’s second round at Huntersville, No. 22 seed Eastern Randolph lost 25-18, 27-25, 25-16 to sixth-seeded Christ the King. The Wildcats finished with a 10-12 record.
